Planning
Civic Society Planning Group
Every month we comment on a number of planning applications, examples include: illuminated fascia signs in the city centre, UPVC replacement windows in the conservation area, quality of design for new buildings at top end of St Peters Street, over development of existing properties, applications that are contrary to the Local Plan or the National Planning Policy Framework. You can read some of our recent comments below:
Other example of comments that we make:
• We supported the application for the restoration of the Rose and Crown
• We objected to applications
• to build up to 190 new dwellings on land between the Alban Way and Colney Heath Lane which is Green Belt land where there is no current access and concern about the impact on local infrastructure and impact on traffic on a narrow road;
• for a significant extension to a property which we consider to be overdevelopment;
• to vary conditions to planning permission to build three new properties that was granted on appeal where significant changes are proposed to the permission granted;
• to convert a property to a House of Multiple occupancy where we considered that this was over-division leading to cramped rooms.
What do we object to?
Here are some of the reasons why we submit objections:
- Overdevelopment in a Conservation Area
- The property is locally listed and the proposed changes will be detrimental to the appearance of the property
- The proposal is inconsistent with the overall street scene
- Overdevelopment in an already crowded site or will contribute to traffic congestion
- Too tight a triangular plot and too close to the surrounding houses
- Inadequate garden space and unacceptable over-looking to the detriment of the residents of surrounding houses
- Proposal fails to meet the requirement of District Plan Policies 69 and 70 and so permission should be refused
- UPVC replacement windows in the conservation area
We object to proposals to create gated communities and deny access for surrounding residents to the public garden square which formed an integral part of the planning application consented for the original development. Creating pedestrian permeability with new routes through the site was promoted as a new public amenity which would be beneficial to the immediate neighbourhood and the wider city.
Useful Information
If you want to comment on planning applications, here are some links to useful sources of information
- CPRE guide on How to respond to planning applications
- RTPI Planning Aid
- St Albans Council planning applications
- St Albans Council information on How to comment on a planning application
- Conservation Areas: a householders guide (SADC publication)
- Shopfronts & Advertisements (SADC publication)
- St Albans Council Article 4 Directions